Nurses’ pay concerns ‘not going away’

The group has started the petition to push for nurses to be given equal pay for work of equal value to other areas of the public sector.

As well as pay disparity in the public sector, nurses’ pay in Guernsey has also fallen behind comparable wages in Jersey.

However, it is not just about pay – the petition pushes for the States of Guernsey to address three key issues:

Firstly, nurses want a meaningful payrise that does not just keep up with but significantly exceeds the cost of living to bring them in line with those doing similar work across the States.

Secondly, to have a solid pay, terms and conditions framework to ensure fairness and so a nursing career in Guernsey is seen as an attractive and viable option and, lastly, to address patient care through a robust, safe staffing system to enable safe delivery of care without relying on top-up agency nurses and to prevent stretching staff goodwill to breaking point.

Within 24 hours of the petition going live on Monday more than 1,000 people had signed it.

‘The petition is to raise awareness and to highlight the issue of pay disparity between nurses and other public sector professionals from the States,’ said RCN Guernsey branch chairman Steve Mundy.

As well as the petition, the organisation will be setting up stalls to give islanders a chance to learn more.

‘The stalls are about allowing people to come and ask any questions they have. It’s an information campaign,’ said Mr Mundy.

Included at the stalls will be postcards sharing examples of the current pay disparity and the petition will be available to sign.

‘There will be more stalls on island throughout the summer and hopefully at festivals and other events,’ said Mr Mundy.

‘We’re not going away on this, we will carry on for as long as is required.’

• An information stall will be in Town Church Square this Saturday and the following Saturday from 8.45am-4pm.